John Hayden

John Hayden (1863 – February 26, 1934) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Biography Born in 1863 in Washington, D.C., Hayden joined the Navy from that city. By July 15, 1879, he was serving as an apprentice on the training ship . On that day, while Saratoga was anchored off Battery Park in New York Harbor, Apprentice Robert Lee Robey fell overboard and was swept away by a strong tidal current. Without hesitation, Apprentice David M. Buchanan leaped into the water and swam to assist Robey, who was not a strong swimmer.

Seeing that Buchanan might also need help, Hayden stripped off his clothing, dove overboard, and joined them in the water. Together, Hayden and Buchanan kept Robey afloat until all three men were rescued by the ship’s boat. For their bravery, both Hayden and Buchanan were awarded the Medal of Honor a week later, on July 22, 1879.